Madison—An American Capital City

Level 4 – Promenade East

Numerous national publications have recognized Madison as one of the top American cities in which to live, work, walk or bike. The essence of this unique city on the isthmus is exquisitely captured in nineteen large panoramic displays by Wisconsin photographer Zane Williams. Landmarks such as the ornate State Capitol building, the prestigious University of Wisconsin campus, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Lamp House and gardens great and small are alive with brilliant color; a must – see preview that will entice visitors to get out and explore beautiful Madison, Wisconsin!

For much of the last 30 years, Zane Williams has directed his photographic interests to Madison and his home state of Wisconsin. In 1994 his photographs were featured in a large pictorial book, Wisconsin. In 2002 after a rigorous six-year field project, he produced Double Take: A RePhotographic Survey of Madison, Wisconsin. It replicates more than 70 urban views taken by photographer Angus McVicar from the 1920s to the ’50s. These pairings show the dramatic changes that occurred in the city since then. More recently, Williams published Madison, a personal, affectionate look, in color, of the capital city. Williams and his wife Mary live in a handsomely restored yellow-brick house a few blocks from Monona Terrace.

The exhibit is free and open to the public and can be viewed daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • A cyclist riding a bike by a path near the lake with tall trees alongside the path, city buildings in the far background
  • Aerial shot of a garden with a long ornamental pool in the middle, green trees and landscape plants, a green grass field in the background
  • A panoramic view of William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens by the lake with trees, cars parked on lower levels of the building
  • The Wisconsin State Capitol building among trees in daytime, city buildings in the background with a distant view of the lake.